The
Team
George Gachara
Board Chair & Founding Partner
George Gachara is a creative industry strategist, a fund advisor, and an investor in creative industries in Africa. He is a founding partner of HEVA Fund LLP, and an honorary entrepreneurship fellow at Goldsmiths University of London. He is leading strategic initiatives from public sector advisory and partnership, fund establishment and management, and firm-level business support to research and knowledge management, acceleration of the growth of creative industries in Africa. Over the last decade, he has had the unique experience of initiating, and managing catalytic funds and financial facilities such as the pioneer finance institution for creative industries. Through HEVA, he was able to establish the regional grants facility Ignite Fund, the Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Program (East Africa), Thrive Fund with Dreilinden, alongside other external financial facilities, Kenya Inclusive Creative Industries Program (MCF), among others.
George believes in the power of dignified jobs, vibrant cultural industries, and meaningful opportunities to drive economic growth for Africa’s young population. He is passionate about contributing to long-term economic and cultural value across the continent.
Wakiuru Njuguna
Managing Partner
Wakiuru Njuguna is the Managing Partner of HEVA Fund, where she leads the firm’s investment strategy, capital formation, and institutional partnerships across Africa’s creative and cultural industries. With over 15 years of experience in fund structuring and market development, she has built a strong track record in deploying capital into high-growth creative enterprises and is leading HEVA’s expansion into a pan-African investment platform. Under her leadership, HEVA Fund has mobilized over USD 40 million and invested in more than 300 businesses across Eastern Africa, proving that the creative economy is not just vibrant, but investable. Wakiuru is known for pioneering fit-for-purpose investment structures and models, including blended finance and bank-linked products, that are built for how creative businesses actually operate and scale across markets.
“The opportunity in Africa’s creative economy is not a lack of talent, but a lack of capital designed for how creative businesses operate. Our work is to build investment structures that respond to the needs of the businesses we serve and unlock capital at scale, attracting institutional investment into the sector.”
Kendi Kamwambia
Operations Partner
With her team, Kendi shapes and executes the firm’s investment strategies with a focus on unlocking capital and deploying it to accelerate growth for Afica’s creative enterprises. A dedicated investment professional, Kendi combines her oversight and zeal for entrepreneurship to unlock growth, spark innovation, and build lasting wealth in Africa’s creative economy. With over a decade at Heva Fund, Kendi has helped her team with resource mobilization and pioneer tailored capital deployment to underwrite creative enterprises’ sustainability and investor readiness. Her efforts have contributed to the mobilization and deployment of more than $40 million across 100+ creative businesses, while strengthening the ecosystem through research, investments, and policy development. Kendi holds finance qualifications from Strathmore University and is an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). She is passionate about capturing the impact of catalytic capital and is pursuing a Master’s in Monitoring and Evaluation at the University of Nairobi to tell these impact stories more effectively.
Beyond the office, Kendi loves mentoring, exploring new places, and cooking up delicious dishes.
Dr. Karimi Ngeera
Finance Director
Dr. Karimi oversees the financial health, integrity, and sustainability of the organisation. She supports deployment and management of catalytic capital into creative enterprises, contributing to investment decision-making, post-investment support, and ecosystem-building initiatives. She advocates for intellectual property (IP) valuation and monetisation, supporting creatives to understand, quantify, and protect the economic value of their work to avoid underselling their rights. Dr. Karimi holds Doctor of Business Administration-Finance, MBA-Finance, and a Bachelor of Commerce-Finance. She is a member of Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK).
Outside of work, she is an emerging DJ and an avid recreational runner, using her love for running to support and inspire impact-driven charity initiatives.
Pam Mutembei
Investments Director
Pam is an investment leader known for turning bold ideas into capital that works. She designs and leads innovative financing models that back youth and women-led creative enterprises, often demonstrating that risk can be managed through insight, partnership, and strong support systems.
With 20+ years of experience across banking, SME finance, and impact investing, Pam operates at the intersection of commercial discipline and social ambition. She has structured blended-finance facilities, partnered with financial institutions and ecosystem actors, and championed pre- and post-investment interventions that enable enterprises to scale sustainably. Pam is a trusted voice within Africa’s impact-investment and creative-economy ecosystems and serves on boards and advisory platforms. Her work is driven by a simple conviction: financing Africa’s future by betting early, backing boldly, and building systems that last.
Dr. Akati Khasiani
Head of Grants and Inclusion
Dr. Khasiani is a multidisciplinary artist and author, with a focus on art that centres the experiences of women and the LGBTQI community. She has extensive experience as a project manager and grant-maker for the creative and cultural industries, with a particular interest in supporting innovation, prototyping and cultural preservation.
Building on expertise gleaned from private and public sector and the research field, she has led the development of collaborative, reflexive and inclusive grant funds with funders and partners alongside developing programs for capacity building and ecosystem strengthening for creative and cultural practitioners.
George “Mars Maasai” Aloo
Program, Research and Insights Manager
Built on his mathematical background, Mars' role involves research and study into HEVA's internal processes and external engagements with students, investees and industry practitioners/professionals, as well as state, philanthropic, developmental and corporate stakeholders at all levels. His findings and continued analysis inform our program strategy with regard to policy discourse both locally and regionally, and practical engagement with the wider HEVA community.
Nehemia Kabugi
Finance Manager
Nehemia Kabugi is a seasoned finance manager known for his expertise in navigating the intricate landscape of financial economics. With a degree in Financial Economics from Strathmore University, Nehemia brings a comprehensive understanding of economic principles and their practical application in the financial world. Currently serving as a finance manager at HEVA Fund, Nehemia plays a pivotal role inmanaging financial resources, crafting strategic investment plans, and ensuring fiscal prudence within the organization. His keen analytical skills coupled with a deep understanding of market dynamics enable him to identify lucrative investment opportunities while mitigating financial risks effectively.
Jesse Kang’ethe
Business Development and Partnerships Manager
Jesse is a holder of a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Psychology. Combined with his 4 years of experience in business and partnership development, talent management, client support and event management, he brings utility to our administrative role. His past experience in youth leadership balances a passion for innovation and youth engagement as the future for industry within the region. He ensures the efficiency of our internal processes, through the creation of a sustainable office eco-system to maintain fluid operations while staying true to our dynamic organizational culture.
Tabitha Masese
Programs Manager
Tabitha Masese is passionate about helping creatives turn their ideas into sustainable livelihoods. At HEVA Fund, she leads the Sanara program, working closely with young women and men in the creative and cultural sector to expand access to finance, build practical skills, and open up new opportunities for growth. With over 15 years of experience across youth, gender, and economic empowerment work, Tabitha is known for her collaborative, people-first approach. She enjoys working alongside creatives, partners, and ecosystem actors to design programmes that are responsive, inclusive, and grounded in real-world needs. Her work focuses on creating pathways that support long-term economic independence, especially for those who are often excluded from mainstream financing and training.
Pauline Oduke
Grants Manager
Pauline has over seven years experience in the field of Finance five of which are in the non-profit sector, she has expertise in grants management, project finance management, financial analysis and interpretation of financial data, accounting and audit. Besides having a knack for numbers, Pauline is proficient in providing top-notch grants management solutions hence the impeccable skills including strong people skills, solid communication and budget management knowledge. She holds a Bachelor's Degree of Commerce in Accounting and currently pursuing tax administration course, and Certified Public Accounts advanced level.
Olivia Muia
Communications Manager
Olivia has a background in brand strategy consultancy, storytelling and marketing communication. She built her expertise while working with various agencies which focused on a human-centered design approach to creative problem-solving. Olivia oversees the communication and communication-design activities at HEVA which include communication strategy and execution, investment and grant program branding and communication development, engaging our stakeholders on our various platforms, and developing content.
Kelvin Kinyua
Investment Analyst
Kelvin is a seasoned investment professional and venture builder with over nine years of experience in impact investing and entrepreneurship development. Specialising in the creative and cultural industries, he drives financial inclusion and economic empowerment for creatives through deal origination, investment appraisal, due diligence, and portfolio management at HEVA Fund. Kelvin excels in balancing profitability with social outcomes, structuring tailored financial solutions, and fostering innovation in dynamic sectors such as the creative economy. Kelvin manages a specialised portfolio of impact loans to MSMEs, ensuring alignment with programs that amplify creative voices and community resilience.
Mary Kibiro
Risk & Compliance Officer
Mary is a result driven risk and compliance professional with over 10 years of experience across diverse industries such Investment Banking, Financial services and Hospitality.She has a proven track record of leading strategic initiatives that strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance risk mitigation frameworks and operational efficiency.
She is a holder of a Bachelor of Commerce -Accounting, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Investment & Financial Analyst and a Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments(CISI-2). She enjoys hiking, hot chocolate and quality time with her loved ones.
Jane Pauline
Programs Officer
JP has a passion for fostering impactful initiatives. She supports the successful planning and execution of programs, ensuring operational efficiency and seamless collaboration across teams. JP excels in keeping activities organized and on track while creating meaningful connections with stakeholders.
Wamuyu Chege
Programs Assistant
As a creative with a strong interest in innovation and growth, Wamuyu brings experience in content creation, communications, partnership management and a fresh new outlook on business process optimization to the HEVA team. She is particularly passionate about data, learning, and driving measurable impact, with a focus on designing and supporting programs that meaningfully empower creative individuals. Her role centers on ensuring HEVA’s programs are delivered effectively, with all partners and beneficiaries well supported throughout each project.
Joan Machanje
Gender, Equality & Social Inclusion Officer
Joan is a public health professional specializing in community development, gender equity, social inclusion, and sustainable programming. She has expertise in project management, health promotion, capacity building, and programme coordination, with a focus on designing inclusive systems that safeguard women, youth, and marginalized communities. She brings strong skills in stakeholder engagement, operational leadership, and creating people-centred programmes that deliver long-term impact. She is passionate about strengthening resilient and equitable interventions, she is committed to ensuring that programmes are effective, accountable, and sustainable, providing meaningful and measurable benefits for communities and individuals alike
Candy Ading
Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning Officer
Candy, a passionate Research and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) expert, brings a solid background in data science and statistics. She loves helping turn complex data into clear, helpful insights that support industry practices, policies, and programs. With experience in leading applied research across various sectors and projects, she focuses on understanding systems, trends, constraints, and opportunities to make a positive difference in the creative industry.
Mariam Mwacharo Mohammed
Communications Specialist
Mariam brings over a decade of experience across communications for development, journalism, digital media, and strategic storytelling within social impact spaces. Her work is rooted in shaping narratives that centre young people, women, and creatives navigating and reshaping systems not always designed with them in mind. At HEVA, Mariam plays a key role in developing and coordinating content across digital platforms, events, publications, and internal communications systems. She supports the translation of complex programs and partnerships into clear, ethical, and accessible narratives, while strengthening consistency, standards, and collaboration across teams and partners. Her approach to communications emphasises dignity, accountability, and representation, positioning program participants as builders and decision-makers in their own right. Beyond HEVA, Mariam is a community advocacy champion volunteering with a CBO in Kwale County, advancing gender equality, social cohesion, and sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent girls and young women in underserved communities. She is also a voice-over artist and one of the voices behind Airtel’s IVR prompts.
Carolyne Mumbi
Grants Officer
Mumbi is a detail-oriented and collaborative professional, passionate about supporting the Cultural Creative Industry in achieving financial sustainability. A Bachelor of Arts in Economics graduate, Mumbi brings a strong foundation in financial analysis and strategic thinking to the role of Grants Assistant at HEVA. Currently finalizing a CPA certification, she is skilled in financial reporting and data analysis, contributing to the effective management of HEVA’s impactful initiatives.
Alex Kimilu
Junior Investment Analyst
Alex is a Financial, Data, and Investment Analyst who works at the intersection of numbers, insight, and strategy. He supports organizations by turning raw financial and data into clarity that informs smarter decisions and sustainable growth. With strong hands-on experience in SQL, Power BI, and Microsoft Excel, Alex builds analytical models, performance dashboards, and investment analysis that go beyond reporting to reveal patterns, risks, and opportunities. He helps the teams understand not just what the numbers say, but what to do next. His expertise covers, financial modelling & valuation, budgeting & forecasting, business intelligence, Portfolio performance tracking, and investment analysis.
Kenneth Muriuki
Credit Administration Officer
Kenneth holds several years of experience in the credit and loans sector, specifically in credit appraisal, loan processing, portfolio management and client relationship support. Kenneth’s experience spans the full credit cycle including analysis, documentation, disbursement, monitoring, and recovery. He is particularly skilled in working with diverse client segments, ensuring compliance with credit policies and supporting sustainable lending.
Gabriel Gichu
IT Officer
Gabriel Gichu works where data, technology, and creativity collide. A computer scientist by training and a problem-solver by instinct, he’s known for making sense of complex systems and turning them into tools people can actually use. With a creative streak and a deep respect for people, he’s passionate about building secure, ethical, and human-centred tech, especially where innovation meets real-world impact. Curious by default and mildly obsessive about details, Gabriel believes good systems should work just as beautifully as they look. When he’s not untangling datasets or stress-testing ideas, he’s usually learning something new or quietly asking the question everyone else skipped.
Brian Ziruel
Accountant
Charismatic, debonair, and effortlessly engaging, Ziruel is a personification of diversity. As the accountant, blending his passion for finance and the creative industries by working closely with creative entrepreneurs, program teams, and investment professionals to translate financial data into actionable insights. An Economics and Statistics graduate, Ziruel supports sustainable growth within the creative economy by strengthening financial governance, enhancing reporting processes, and enabling informed decision-making across arts, culture, and creative enterprises. Beyond the balance sheet, Ziruel is a professional athlete competing in Kenya’s top-flight basketball league, with multiple stints representing the Kenya 3x3 National Team. When he is not maximizing shareholder value, he can be found exploring Nairobi’s music scene, reading a book or enjoying a well-earned plate of chapati and lentils.
Tatyana Jahenda Kennedy
Communications Associate
Jahenda specializes in translating complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives particularly through visual media that connects people to impact. With a multidisciplinary background spanning sales, advertising, public relations, marketing, and corporate communications, she brings a strategic yet creative lens to her work. She is especially interested in how stories, design, and digital content can shape perception, build trust, and amplify the voices of creative entrepreneurs across Africa’s cultural and creative industries. A natural collaborator and self-described free spirit, Jahenda thrives at the intersection of structure and creativity. Her work is driven by curiosity, empathy, and a deep belief in the power of communications to unlock opportunity, shift narratives, and support sustainable growth within the creative economy.
Ashley Amimo
Investment Assistant
Ashley Amimo is an economist and statistics graduate with experience in investment analysis and participant data tracking. At HEVA, she supports programs by monitoring participant progress, analyzing data, and ensuring initiatives effectively reach target groups, including young women, refugees, and persons with disabilities. Ashley is passionate about using insights to strengthen program impact and promote inclusive growth across HEVA’s diverse initiatives.
Caren Ndiwa
Finance Support & Office Administration
Caren provides vital finance, procurement, and administrative support across the organisation, playing a central role in keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. Her work spans the entire finance and procurement functions, as well as facilities and general administration, across all departments making her an indispensable part of the HEVA Fund team. She is deeply involved in operational coordination, including records and data management, document preparation and updates, reporting, and overall office administration. Caren helps ensure efficiency, accuracy, and continuity across organisational processes. Caren holds accreditation in ICT and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and brings over ten years of experience in administrative and finance support roles.
Jackline Adhiambo
Grants and Support Intern
Jackline Adhiambo is a Grants and Program Support Intern at HEVA Fund, where she supports grants management and program coordination. At HEVA, she contributes to strengthening Kenya’s creative sector through operational and program support. She values integrity, continuous learning, and service, and is committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful and lasting impact within communities. Her work focuses on ensuring smooth program implementation and supporting teams to deliver transformative opportunities for creatives and entrepreneurs across Kenya.
Emmanuel Kuloba
Grants and Support Intern
Emmanuel holds a Bachelor of Economics and Finance and is driven by a passion for creating positive impact in the spaces and communities he serves in. At HEVA, within the Grants and Programs departments, he supports the grants application process, grant-related documentation, reporting process and field visits.
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